Hopkins to run for Soc Dems in Dublin Fingal East

Howth-Malahide councillor Joan Hopkins has been selected by the Social Democrats to contest the Dublin Fingal East constituency in the upcoming general election.

Hopkins topped the poll in Howth-Malahide in June’s local elections, and said being picked as a general election candidate was “an incredible honour.”

“I am very excited to be taking on this challenge. It is my intention to mount a vigorous grassroots campaign and be a strong and hard working representative for the people of Fingal East in Dáil Éireann,” she said.

“Having served as a councillor on Fingal County Council for five years, and following my recent re-election where I had the great honour of topping the poll, I know all too well the challenges facing our community. People in this area are worried about housing affordability, the healthcare crisis, the complete lack of disability supports and our climate emergency. ”

“The tremendous support given to me by so many people has left me in no doubt that there is an appetite amongst voters for a change in approach on these – and so many other issues. We need strong Social Democratic representation in the Dáil to see real and meaningful investment in core public services and I want to give people the opportunity to vote for this.”

Hopkins will face off against incumbent TDs Alan Farrell of Fine Gael, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien of Fianna Fáil and Labour TD Duncan Smith in the highly competitive three-seater.

Hopkins added “I am overwhelmed to have received such strong support from party members in Fingal, my local colleague Cllr. Paul Mulville and our party leader Holly Cairns, who is focused on building a strong Social Democrats team in the Oireachtas.”

Cairns welcomed Hopkins’ candidacy, saying  “I am delighted that Joan is running for the Social Democrats in Dublin Fingal East. Joan already has a track record as an extremely hard-working councillor in the area with a particular focus on housing, social care, disability supports and the environment.”

“I know Joan shares the party’s vision for vastly improved public services, a properly functioning health service, a sustainable environment and housing that is genuinely affordable. More than that, she is already working hard to deliver these things on the ground in Fingal East.

“I would like to wish Joan every success in her campaign and look forward to working with her and her team to elect a Social Democrat TD in Fingal East.”